For eight generations, The Flying Wallendas have amazed all who watch their daring artistry and dazzling skill.

Since 1780 the Wallenda family has been a traveling circus troupe of acrobats, jugglers, clowns, and animal trainers. Throughout the 20th century, they were famed for their wire walking and flying trapeze, some done as high as 10 stories above the ground and all without a net.

Now, in the 21st century, The Wallendas face diminishing audiences, a collapsing business model and a vanishing way of life.

As they struggle to hold onto their rich heritage, The Flying Wallendas must beat back the harsh realities of performance anxiety, financial despair and spectator ambivalence while continuing to bring dreams to the dreamers from under the big top.

I am thrilled to announce that "The Show Must Go On" (TSMGO) had its premiere in the city the Wallendas call home: Sarasota, FL - also known as "The Circus Capital of the World" - at the Sarasota Film Festival on Friday, April 20th, at the Sarasota Opera House!

I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, the middle of nine children. This upbringing gave me patience, the ability to find order amidst chaos, and a sense of humor - all of which have been invaluable in navigating the world.

One of my earliest memories is of being squashed between eight siblings on the tailgate of a '64 station wagon, listening to the audio crackle from a metal speaker hung on the door, while sleepily watching "Old Yeller" on a huge screen at the drive-in. The endless blanket of stars above, the cool summer air, the heartbreaking ending - at nine years old, I was hooked.